IIn
general somebody using a walking cane / walking stick
might want not only a physical support, but some level
of decorative and aesthetic values as well. That is why
for many centuries the walking canes have captured the
attention of artists and jewelers. Nevertheless,
thinking about aesthetics of the walking cane / walking
stick one should not forget about the comfort, physical
stability, and security the walking cane should provide
in the first place.

WALKING CANES HANDLE COMFORT ABILITY

The comfort of the walking cane depends mainly on
the handle shape. The types of the walking cane handles
such as Derby, L-shape, and Crook while looking elegant
are comfortable for a daily use. The knob handles are
recommended for a light support and balance.
[Please click here to view a sample]

The special property of the Derby handle, besides a
comfortable hand support, is the elevated front part
of the handle, which helps keep the hand from
slipping. A combination of the Derby-Crook handle
shapes might be very comfortable and have some added
value – besides providing the stable support it
allows holding the walking cane on the forearm.
Anatomical handles are very comfortable for daily
use but usually they look more like medical supply
then decorative art. The good example of more
aesthetical one combination of anatomical shape with
classical such as Darby or L-shape.
[Please click here to view a sample]

Traditional handles may be designed as a sculpture
or decorated by some kind of ornament. In these
cases a designer has to make sure that the handle
does not loose its major properties – comfort and
stability. The walking canes handles designed in the
form of a sculpture or decorated by some other means
very often, besides their direct use as the support
during walking, are considered the art subjects and
as such are often the collectors’ items.

MATERIALS, BALANCE, STRENGTH OF THE WALKING
CANE

The right balance is a very important property
of the walking cane. In order to achieve the right
balance the weight of the handle shall be somewhat
less or equal to the weight of the shaft. For that
the high-end artisan walking canes are usually
equipped with a cast metal rather than a stamped
(punched out) handle.

The cast metal handles have the following
advantages compared with the stamped handles:

The wall thickness of the cast handles
varies between 2 and 5 mm ( 5/64” to 3/16
“), while the stamped handles wall thickness
is usually on the level of 0.3 to 0.5 mm, or
approximately ten times thinner than the
cast handle. This compromises the strength
and reliability of the walking cane with the
stamped handle.

Because of the thin walls of the stamped
handles they are prone to dents and nicks
during normal handling.

The cast metal technology does not limit the
designer’s fantasy and ability to create
complex art forms.

It
has to be noted here that cast metal
technology is much more sophisticated and
time consuming, and it requires much higher
skills as well.

The next subject consumer has to pay attention
to is the material of the cane construction. The
most popular materials used for handles are Silver
and German Silver. German Silver is an alloy of 70%
copper with 30% nickel and no silver. The Sterling
Silver, which is an alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5%
copper, is the preferred material for the handles
construction because, thanks to the copper addition,
it is much stronger than Pure Silver. Sometime canes
might be advertised as silver handle walking canes,
which might be deceiving, because this often does
not mean that the handle is silver made. Instead the
seller might have in mined one of the following
materials:

Silver plated handle when a thin layer of
silver is plated over some base metal or
even plastic

Alpaca Silver, which is an alloy imitating
the silver

German Silver, which is alloy with no silver
added, etc.

Each item made of the real silver or silver
alloy (like sterling silver) must have the following
marks stamped out:

Pure Silver - ( 0.999 )

Sterling Silver - ( 0.925 ), (STERLING) or
(SS)

Russian Silver - ( 0.875 )

Old English Silver - ( 0.800 ) etc...

It is important to know, that such materials as
German Silver, Nickel Silver, Alpaca Silver are
alloys only resembling the silver by the color.
Unlike the pewter (another material used for the
stick handles), they can be polished very well, are
strong and can resemble the silver by the color.
Nevertheless, these alloys do not contain any silver
at all.

Above we discussed the importance of the balance
and the role the handle plays in achieving it. We
said that the handle must be either slightly less or
equal by the weight to the shaft. Here we will
discuss the role of the shaft in achieving the right
balance of the walking stick. While the handle has
to be close by the weight to the entire shaft, it is
important that the lower end of the shaft is as
light as possible.

That would provide lighter load on the forearm
muscles during walking and, particularly at the
moment the stick loses the contact with the ground.
At the same time the upper part of the shaft should
be thick enough to provide the strength. Thus, the
shaft should be tapered. It would be even better if
the taper starts close to the center of the shaft
going to the end. This makes the walking cane not
only well balanced but proportionally looking as
well. Because the shaft in the main part is
responsible for the strength of the cane, the
material used for its construction is very
important. The shaft of 7/8” diameter made of
extreme woods (such as ebony, ironwood, etc.) will
withstand the same load as 1 ¼” diameter cane made
of a hardwood (oak, maple, etc.), and will look more
elegant as well.

If the shaft is made from the hardwood it is
usually painted to change the light natural color of
the wood. The paint is often chips off due to the
wear and tear. The extreme woods, on the other hand
do not need to be painted providing beautiful
natural colors. The colors the extreme woods provide
are as follows:

Black color

Ebony, African Blackwood

Dark brown color

Ironwood, Cocobolo

Reddish brown

Rosewood

The lower end of the shaft shall be furnished
with a metal ferrule, which in addition to providing
finished look prevents the end of the cane from
splitting. It is advisable as well to have a rubber
tip placed over the ferrule to prevent slipping.

The length of the Walking Cane depends on
the height of the walker. I can recommend two simple
methods for the stick length selection:

Divide the height of the user in two and add
one inch

The length of the cane is equal to the
distance from the floor to the upper end of
the hand while the arm is in straight down
position.

CUSTOMER REVIEW

Dear Boris,

I received the walking cane you made the
other day and I am pleased beyond words!

I put the walking cane handle in my hand
and it seemed as though you had me in your shop

to measure my hand for the handle, it
fits so well to my hand it it quite unbelievable...

you are an outstanding and wonderful
artist and craftsman.

The walking cane makes me feel absolutely
steady and fast when I walk...the balance is perfect.

The cane is nothing less than perfection.

I cannot thank you enough, and it was
worth every cent I paid for you to craft this for me.

I would recommend you to anyone and you
should be considered a fine artist.

Thank you so much, you are truly gifted.
You have made my ability

to walk so much more easy, and I am proud
to have your work in my hand.

Sincerely,
Sandra L. Hacker

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Dear Boris,
have two of your walking canes (antler in sterling silver,ebony and rosewood)
would love to have the stiletto - perhaps silver with a stainless steel
connector.
Your walking canes are the best.
Keep0 well,
Philip

Dear, Mr. Palatnik
I just received my expertly crafted wolf and ebony shaft
walking cane today.
The craftmanship is exquisite, I know I'll get meany years of use and meany
compliments from all who see it. I will recommend you MR. Palatnik to all
who ask. Thank you again for doing such a exquisite job.
Martin Gregorich
Crest Hill, IL.